Mileage Log Template — IRS-Compliant Printable Log (2026)
To claim the IRS standard mileage deduction, you need a contemporaneous mileage log. IRS Publication 463 requires four pieces of information for every business trip. Use the generator below to create a printable log sheet, or download the blank template.
What Your Log Must Include
- Date of the trip
- Destination (place or general area, e.g., "client office, Chicago")
- Business purpose (e.g., "client meeting", "delivery", "site inspection")
- Miles driven for the trip
Recording your odometer reading at the start and end of the year (or when the vehicle entered and left business use) is also strongly recommended — the IRS may ask for the total vehicle miles to compute the business-use percentage.
Generate a Printable Mileage Log
Tips for Keeping an Accurate Log
- Record each trip immediately after it occurs, not at the end of the week.
- Note the odometer reading at the start and end of each year or each vehicle.
- Keep a separate log for personal miles — do not mix them with business trips.
- Back up digital logs. Export to PDF monthly and store with your tax documents.
- Use the 2026 business rate of 72.5¢/mile for qualifying business trips. See all 2026 IRS rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
IRS Publication 463 specifies that each vehicle use record must show: (1) the date of the trip, (2) the business purpose of the trip, (3) the place or destination, and (4) the number of miles. Logs should be kept contemporaneously — recorded at or near the time of the trip, not reconstructed later.
Yes. The IRS accepts digital records including app-generated logs. Popular options include MileIQ, Everlance, Stride, and TripLog. Any system that captures the four required data points contemporaneously is acceptable. Export a CSV or PDF summary at year-end and retain it with your tax records.
Keep mileage records for at least three years after the due date of the return on which the deduction was claimed (the IRS standard audit window is three years). If you omit more than 25% of gross income, the window extends to six years. When in doubt, keep records for seven years.
The IRS may disallow the mileage deduction entirely without adequate records. In some cases, auditors apply the Cohan rule to allow a reasonable estimate if other corroborating evidence exists (calendar entries, client invoices, GPS data), but this is discretionary. A contemporaneous log is by far the safest approach.